Ballroom, Irish, ballet, jazz, and contemporary competitive dancing rely on rhinestones to give the costume a polished and finished look. While you can buy pre-rhinestoned clothing, often these come with a steep price. Typically, you can save a bundle of money by stoning a dance costume yourself. Yet, when you’ve searched for crystals online, you find many different rhinestone sizes using a unique measurement. Let’s explore stone sizes and how to pick the perfect product. Explanation of Rhinestone Sizes Many rhinestone manufacturers make round rhinestone sizes ranging from very small 5ss to large 50ss. This designation, “stone size” or “ss” is unique to rhinestone sizing. Generally, the bigger the number, the larger the crystal rhinestone. Moreover, most retailers will provide a size chart showing the corresponding millimeter size. For your convenience, here is a rhinestone size chart: ss mm ss mm ss mm 5 1.7-1.8 10 2.7-2.85 34 7.0 -7.17 6 1.9-2 12 3.0-3.1 40 8.35-8.54 7 2.1-2.15 16 3.8-3.9 48 10.95-11.11 8 2.3-2.35 20 4.6-4.7 50 12 9 2.5-2.65 30 6.3-6.41 Ultimately, choosing a rhinestone size affects your overall design and its impact. Large rhinestones reflect more light for lots of sparkle and a showy and striking design. Small crystals offer subtle glitter but work better for intricate and meticulous designs. They are also useful as gap fillers to go between spaces left by larger stones. Although there are no rules or guidelines, the most popular rhinestone sizes for dance costumes are 16ss, 20ss, and 30ss. What Are Rhinestones and Why Are They Perfect for Bedazzling Dance Costumes? Dance is a visual art performance reflecting cultures, emotions, and stories. Typically, costumes are an integral part of the dance, enhancing the overall presentation. Adding bedazzling embellishments helps create dynamic images for a mesmerizing routine. Once a natural resource, gem hunters found sparkling quartz along the banks of the Rhine River. Once these “Rhine stones” became depleted, glassmakers sought ways to manufacture them. Today, rhinestone manufacturers create beautiful flatback gems perfect for dance costumes. In particular, the round shape offers the greatest versatility for the availability of rhinestone colors and sizes. Yet, not all rhinestones offer the best sparkle. Manufacturers may use plastic (which includes acrylic, jelly, and resin), glass, or crystal to create their product. While crystal is a type of glass, it contains particular minerals that change some of its properties. Furthermore, crystal rhinestones have the greatest sparkle out of all these materials due to these properties: 1. Greatest dispersion rate 2. Highest refractive index 3. Allows more precision cut facets 4. Superlative clarity Additionally, the play of light depends on the number of facets. Typically, the number of angled planes can range from 8 to 16. Rhinestone manufacturers create facets through molding or machine cutting. Comparatively, the added strength of the crystal allows manufacturers to cut more facets into the crystal than molded glass. Moreover, the facet arrangement affects optical performance as well. Facets control the entry and exit of light from the crystal. Thus, symmetrically positioned facets contribute to the rhinestone’s overall brilliance. Generally, higher quality rhinestones are machine cut for consistent facet size and arrangement. FAQs About Rhinestones When bedazzling dance costumes, buying the best rhinestones doesn’t always mean spending the most money. Many manufacturers make high quality rhinestones at an economical price. Below, we’ve answered a few commonly asked questions to help you make the best choice for your bedazzling project. How Many Rhinestones Are in 1 Gross? There are 144 pieces in a gross. Can I Mix Sizes? Absolutely! Using different sizes on one project will give your project added depth as light bounces randomly. Where Can I Buy Rhinestones Online? Rhinestones Etc. is a family owned rhinestone supplier selling quality embellishments since 2011. Our current inventory includes premium crystal rhinestones from Preciosa and economically priced PriceLess brands. We ship Monday to Friday, offering same day shipping on orders placed by 2 PM. Browse our online store to find crystal rhinestones in bulk at competitive prices.
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From tiny 5ss to large 50ss sizes, faux gems add sparkle and beauty. Furthermore, various rhinestone sizes are important for creating designs and transfers with visual impact and dimension. That’s why PriceLess recently announced brand-new sizes to its line of crystalline products. The New PriceLess Sizes The PriceLess line is a high quality crystal rhinestone from Asia. This company offers many different hues including AB colors and multicolor stones at cost-effective prices. Previously, PriceLess only offered crystals in 12ss, 20ss, and 30ss sizes. However, PriceLess recently expanded its line. The company now offers size 16ss in all colors. Additionally, the manufacturer now creates 40ss and 50ss in certain popular hues. These new sizes open up more design possibilities for embellishing clothing and accessories. Multiple Rhinestone Sizes Offers Greater Versatility Fashion trends rise and fall, but rhinestones have remained popular. Beginning in the early 1900s, Coco Chanel made these fake gems desirable. Since then, consumers' love for sparkling rhinestone encrusted objects has grown tremendously. Moreover, these faux gems have become popular in the DIY industry with crafters stoning everything from clothing to everyday items:
However, not all sizes work perfectly with every project. For example, larger 30ss, 40ss, and 50ss sizes are great for dancewear, skating wear, and jeans. While smaller 12ss, and 16ss work better for phone cases, nail design, and accessories. Furthermore, different sizes create distinctive plays of light. For instance, smaller stones have a subtle charm and work great for more intricate patterns and designs. In comparison, the facets of larger rhinestones allow for greater light reflection creating exceptional brilliance and visual impact. Finally, combining different rhinestone sizes allows light to bounce unpredictably for added dimension. An Explanation of “ss” Rhinestone Sizes Unlike natural gemstones, manmade rhinestones are available in standard sizes. The industry uses a measurement that dates back to when crystal rhinestones were a naturally occurring resource. Typically, manufacturers and sellers provide a size chart converting “ss” (stone size) to millimeters (mm): Rhinestone Size Chart Converting SS to MM ss mm ss mm ss mm 5 1.7-1.8 10 2.7-2.85 34 7.0 -7.17 6 1.9-2 12 3.0-3.1 40 8.35-8.54 7 2.1-2.15 16 3.8-3.9 48 10.95-11.11 8 2.3-2.35 20 4.6-4.7 50 12 9 2.5-2.65 30 6.3-6.41 FAQs about Rhinestones Beginning a bling project but have questions about buying rhinestones? Below, we answer a few commonly asked questions. How Do I Choose A Size for my Rhinestone Project? Usually, your budget, design, and item will help determine a good size. Generally, larger rhinestones cost more than smaller ones, but cover a bigger area. Furthermore, intricate designs or words are easier to recreate with smaller rhinestones. Finally, some projects, like nail design, simply work better with smaller stones. Of course, picking a size is a personal choice and there are no wrong options. What Is the Best Type of Rhinestone to Buy? Like choosing a size, this depends on your project and preference. Manufacturers create rhinestones from plastic, glass, and crystal. Each material offers a different amount of sparkle. Additionally, rhinestone brands have 10-15 facets cut differently producing varying scintillation. Although crystal rhinestones are the most expensive, you’ll also get the most sparkle from this embellishment. Plus, a rhinestone with more facets will have greater scintillation. This is due to the play of light across the surface of the stone. Which Manufacturer Creates the Finest Crystal Products? With over 500 years of glassmaking tradition, Preciosa is the premier rhinestone manufacturer. The company offers over 120 colors in both glue on and heat activated applications in a multitude of sizes. Each lead free crystal has pristine cut facets. These range from 12 (2ss – 4ss) to 15 (5ss – 20ss) and 18 (30ss -48ss). Where Can I Buy Rhinestones Online? Since 2011, Rhinestones Etc. has been selling quality rhinestones online. We offer competitive pricing, fast processing times, and excellent customer service. Browse our online store to find your perfect size.
These days, it seems rhinestone embellished items are everywhere. Jennifer Lopez’s tumblers, Ashley Graham’s strappy sandals, and Carrie Underwood’s rhinestoned top. Yet, purchasing bedazzled items can be quite pricey. Thus, you may want to consider beginning a blinged out project. However, newcomers to the world of bling may find all the options overwhelming. Today, let’s review some guidelines for picking the perfect rhinestone size for your project.
“ss”: The Rhinestone Size Unit First, if you’ve never purchased rhinestones before, you’ll probably be confused about the unit of measurement used by manufacturers. The “ss” or stone size term traces back to when gem collectors sought naturally occurring quartz along the Rhine River. Although gem hunters have long since depleted this natural resource, manufacturers continue to use this measurement. Typically, retailers of crystal components will give the millimeter size alongside the “ss” size for comparison. For your convenience, we’ve replicated the rhinestones size chart comparison below:
ss mm ss mm ss mm
3 1.4 8 2.35 20 4.7 4 1.6 9 2.65 30 6.41 5 1.8 10 2.85 34 7.17 6 2.0 12 3.1 40 8.54 7 2.15 16 3.9 48 11.11 As you can see, the larger the “ss” number, the bigger the rhinestone. Of course, a larger rhinestone will cover a greater area. However, larger rhinestones are also more expensive than smaller ones. Some experts recommend you begin with your budget or how much you want to spend on rhinestones. Usually, most retailers sell rhinestones by the gross (144 pieces). To find your quantity, take the amount you’re willing to spend and divide it by the cost of the rhinestone. Let’s look at an example: you have $50 budgeted and size 16ss rhinestones cost $10 per gross. This means you can purchase 5 gross (720 pieces). What about 20ss at a cost of $13.50? For this size you can buy 3.7 gross. If your retailer only sells by the gross, you may want to purchase some smaller sizes too. The Design May Help Dictate the Rhinestone Size Sometimes, you may want to just outline a neckline. Usually, a larger size stone like 20ss or 30ss will do nicely. Other times, you may have a particular shape you want to cover in rhinestones. To do so, you need to find the total area you want to cover. For instance, you want to add rhinestones to a pair of sandal straps. First, you need to find the total area of the straps. Let’s say the straps measure 2 inches wide by 5 inches long. This gives you a total area of 10 square inches for one sandal (just double this for both sandals). The chart below shows how many of that particular size rhinestone will cover 1 square inch. Just multiply the area by the number of stones per square inch to get your total:
As you can see, you end up with fractions of rhinestones. Thus, you may want to purchase smaller size rhinestones (5ss, 6ss, 7ss, etc.) to fill in any gaps. Or, you can leave a little space between the crystals. Typically, like choosing a color, the best rhinestone size often is a matter of design preference. Moreover, you’re not boxed into choosing only 1 size. Using different sizes allows light to bounce unpredictably along the design creating more flash. Also, keep in mind, the bigger the rhinestone, the flashier the shine. FAQs about Rhinestones Ready to begin your bling project, but have more questions? Below, we answer a few commonly asked questions. Which Color Should I Pick? Often, choosing a particular color can affect the look of your project. Different hues have varying levels of intensity, saturation, and perceived warmth. Begin by deciding on the look you want to achieve. For example, using triadic colors on your project creates a bold, vibrant look. Typically, choosing a particular rhinestone color is also a personal preference. What Is The Best Adhesive? Usually, all rhinestone glues work great on fabric. However, some adhesives work better on non-porous surfaces like glass or metal. Check with the manufacturer before starting your project. If you’re bedazzling clothing, want a glue that dries clear and is washable. Most popular brands you can purchase in any craft store:
Are Some Rhinestone Brands Better Than Others? Typically, not all rhinestones have the same quality. Some manufacturers use acrylic, others glass or crystal. Also, you’ll find a different arrangement and number of facets depending on the manufacturer. All these factors affect the sparkle, refraction of light, and of course, price. When you want the very best quality for your crystal embellishments, trust Rhinestones Etc. With a huge selection of brand name Preciosa in stock, we can help you look dazzling. Browse our online store for a great selection of colors and sizes.
In 2017, Jennifer Lopez received a bling cup as a gift. Since then, the superstar orders a cup for every occasion fueling the bling craze. However, for most of us, this habit is too expensive. Luckily, it’s simple to create your own. Yet, a beginner may have trouble deciding between the many rhinestone sizes available. You can find rhinestones from the size of a pinhead to the size of a quarter. With so many options, how do you choose the perfect size? Let’s look at some factors that can help you decide. How Many Rhinestones Will I Need? Typically, the most popular shape of rhinestones is the round cut. Moreover, most blinged out template projects will use round rhinestones. However, you can also find these embellishments in many different shapes. Other shapes can change the direction of the light for movement and contrast. Combining shapes like square, baguette, or navette can change the effect and overall finish of your design. Today, we’ll be talking about round rhinestones. First, consider the sort of project you’re about to undertake. Is it for an adult or a child? For example, if you plan to rhinestone something for a child, you might want to use 12ss or 16ss. While if the project is for an adult, you probably want to use a bigger size like 20ss or 30ss. Generally, your choice of rhinestone size will impact how many you’ll need. For instance, smaller rhinestones will cover less area per stone. Thus, you’ll need to purchase a greater number of smaller-sized rhinestones than larger ones to cover a particular space. Additionally, it’ll take you less time to apply bigger sizes. However, larger rhinestones are also more expensive than smaller ones. Style of Your Rhinestone Design Creating a rhinestone design is only limited by your imagination. You can bling out logos, sayings, and pictures to create beautiful clothing and accessories. Moreover, you use rhinestones on water bottles, key fobs, and virtually anything else. Usually, the spacing also helps to determine your quantity. You can place the end to end for an unbroken line. However, putting a little space between your stones can significantly lower the amount you’ll need. Often, using a template can make figuring out the number of rhinestones you need easier especially if it’s an outline. Simply measure the shape of the picture or word you want to use as a design. Sometimes curves or bends in your design may leave gaps. Thus, you may want to use some smaller size crystals to fill in these spaces. Using different size rhinestones also can give depth to your illustration. FAQs about Rhinestones Sizes Usually, you’ll need to purchase rhinestones online. With the added expense of shipping costs, you want to figure out the exact number of rhinestones you’ll need. Plus, if you’re an occasional crafter, you probably don’t want too many extra rhinestones once you’ve finished your project. To help you with your purchase, we’ve answered a few commonly asked questions. Why Do Manufacturers Use “ss” to Describe Rhinestone Size? The “ss” designation goes back to when natural rhinestones existed. When collectors picked up this natural resource, they sorted their finds by stone size or “ss”. This designation has remained long after the gem hunters have depleted these natural stones. If you’re not familiar with this type of measurement, you’re not alone! That’s why retailers also give sizes in millimeters. Is There A Standard Quantity Size? Occasionally, you can find vendors selling rhinestones in different quantities, but typically retailers sell rhinestones by the gross. One gross is equal to 144 pieces. Here at Rhinestones Etc. we sell packages in 1 gross and 10 gross packages. Where Can I Buy Quality Rhinestones? Since 2011, Rhinestones Etc. has been selling quality rhinestones. We have excellent customer service and fast processing times. Plus, we have a large selection of rhinestone colors. Browse our online store before you begin your next bling project.
Small, medium, or large - it’s a question many people need to answer frequently. With many items available in multiple sizes, you need to decide which measurement is best. For your needs. Rhinestone sizes are no exception, and can range from tiny pinhead to large quarter size, and everything in between. How To Choose the Best Rhinestone Size for Your Project? Often, name-brand rhinestones are available in over a dozen different sizes. Even generic brands may have several size options. With many sizes available, you can easily become overwhelmed by the choices. However, usually certain sizes work better for particular projects. For example, bling nail designs typically use smaller-sized crystals like 6ss, 8ss, or 10ss. Furthermore, intricate designs or words also require the use of small rhinestones. Yet, some projects, like stoning dance costumes or formal wear, require medium-sized crystals like 16ss, 20ss, or 30ss. Sometimes you may even want to use a mix of sizes for an unpredictable play of light. Thus, the scope of your bling project can help you narrow down your choices. Often, the rhinestones size is also dependent on the area you need to cover. For example, encrusting shoes with rhinestones presents a large area to cover. In this case, you don’t want to use tiny rhinestones or the project will be very time-consuming. However, sometimes covering a large area with bigger rhinestones may leave gaps between stones. For these situations, you can use small rhinestones to fill in any empty spaces. Do Certain Rhinestone Sizes Have More Sparkle? Rhinestone facets act like mirrors, reflecting light to the viewer’s eye. When comparing rhinestones from the same manufacturer, the larger rhinestone will have more sparkle. This is due to the larger surface area of the facet. However, sparkle greatly differs between different manufacturers due to several factors: 1. Material Rhinestones can be crystal, glass, or acrylic. These different materials reflect and refract different amounts of light. 2. Number of Facets Manufacturers create a varying number of facets in their product. Some rhinestones have as few as 10, while others have 16. The more facets a rhinestone has, the greater the play of light. 3. Arrangement of Facets The symmetry and angles of the rhinestone’s facet along the face of the crystal also determine light reflection and refraction. When Shopping for Rhinestone Sizes, What Does “ss” Mean Anyway? As you shop for rhinestones, you will notice retailers showing sizing by a number followed by “ss”. With rhinestones, the larger the number, the larger the rhinestone. The “ss” designation harkens back to years ago when rhinestones were a naturally occurring product. Collectors would group these natural rhinestones according to their “stone size” or “ss”. Many, if not all, vendors will have a size chart converting the “ss” into millimeter size. Thus, you can check a ruler and get the exact measurements of the rhinestones. For your convenience, you can view our conversion chart with both ss and millimeter sizing here. What Is the Best Rhinestone Size for Your Bedazzling Project? Often, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. Sizing, like color choice and manufacturer, is a personal choice. You may want bigger bling for a dramatic statement or a more subtle sparkle with smaller stones. If you’re having difficulty deciding on a size, drop us a message. We’ll be glad to offer suggestions to help you pick a rhinestone size that’s right for you. Where Is the Best Place to Buy Rhinestones Online? Rhinestones Etc. has been selling rhinestones online since 2011, and we’ve helped many customers with their bling projects. We understand you need your rhinestones fast, so we offer same-day shipping on orders placed by 2 pm EST. Plus, we offer outstanding customer service and great rhinestone prices. Browse our online store to find the perfect crystal size before you begin your next bling project. From earliest times, sparkling gems have captivated our attention. Generally, it was only the nobility or very rich who could afford to have jewelry made from precious stones. So, jewelers sought out alternate cheaper sources to make sparkling jewelry at a lower cost. The discovery of natural rhinestones along the Rhine River provided a supply for a time. When this natural source became depleted, jewelers looked for a way to make them. In the early 1700’s a breakthrough came. A French jeweler by the name of Georg Friedrich Strass developed imitation gems later called rhinestones. He discovered that coating a piece of glass with metal powder created a shimmer in glass, similar to a gemstone. The novelty caught on although the imitations were still very expensive. Cutting each rhinestone by hand was labor intensive. Nonetheless, crafting rhinestones blossomed in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. Individual skilled artisans honed their craft producing their version of rhinestones. One of these skilled craftsmen, Daniel Swarovski, patented an electric cutting machine. This new machine cut crystal more precisely and quickly than by hand. In 1895, he moved to Austria and opened his own manufacturing plant. Meanwhile, those individual companies in Bohemia eventually merged in 1948 to form the Preciosa brand. Today, there are many other manufacturers of rhinestones in a wide variety of shapes and colors. The Asian markets in particular, produce a large number of quality crystal rhinestones. While there are different brands of rhinestones, they all share some of the same characteristics.  Types of Rhinestones Typically, there are 3 main rhinestone types: crystal, glass or acrylic. Rhinestones manufactured from crystal are the most expensive rhinestones. Primarily, crystal is glass mixed with lead or other components which make it clearer and prismatic. The prismatic effect is the ability to take light and break it up similar to a prism. Because of the safety concerns with lead, Swarovski and Preciosa no longer use lead in making their crystal. Both companies have achieved this without losing any sparkle from the rhinestone. This means that both types of rhinestones are CPSIA compliant and are safe for use with children. Similar to crystal, glass rhinestones have a coating to produce a shimmer in the rhinestone as well as facets. However, glass rhinestones do not have the prismatic quality of crystal. Nevertheless, glass rhinestones typically are precision cut by machine. Occasionally, you may see rhinestones listed as DMC or MC. These rhinestones are Asian machine cut rhinestones and they may be either crystal or glass. Finally, there are the acrylic rhinestones, the most inexpensive of all. Formed from molds, acrylic rhinestones do have facets which produce some sparkle. Acrylic rhinestones are a great choice for children’s crafts because they’re lead-free and very inexpensive. Confused about some of the rhinestone choices? Rhinestones Etc. has a large selection of rhinestones at discount prices. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you have regarding rhinestones. You can contact us here.  Rhinestones Quality is based on Color, Cut, Contour, and Clarity When shopping for expensive gems, jewelers recommend examining a specimen for the 4 C’s: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The grade of each of these components helps determine the gem’s value. Although slightly different, rhinestones also have 4 C’s: color, cut, clarity, contour. Chiefly, there are many different rhinestone colors and your color choice affects the price. Crystal or clear rhinestones are the least expensive. Aurum, a gold rhinestone with a thin coating of 14k gold is the most expensive. However, within each color, the hue, tone, and saturation must be the same for consistency. The trueness and intensity of color must be the replicated throughout. Variations in color are the mark of cheaper rhinestones. Next, cut refers to the facets. Facets are the small plane surfaces cut into the rhinestone that reflect the light. The more facets, the more light reflects and hence the rhinestone has more sparkle. Swarovski makes a rhinestone with the most facets, 16 arranged in a star shape pattern called the Xirius. Preciosa manufactures a rhinestone named Maxima with 15 facets. Other rhinestone manufacturers cut between 8 and 12 facets into their rhinestones. Generally, the more facets, the more expensive the rhinestone. Chiefly, clarity is the lucidity or clearness of the rhinestone. The rhinestone should be free from spots, streaks or bubbles. Any type of cloudiness in the rhinestone is the mark of an inexpensive brand. Finally, contour refers to the consistency of the shape of the rhinestone. Typically, the shape of the rhinestone also determines its price. Round rhinestones are generally the least expensive, while fancy shapes such as baguette, navette, and others more costly. Size also affects the pricing, with rhinestones increasing in price with the size.  Hot Fix Rhinestones One type of rhinestone is the hot fix which has glue attached to the flat side. To adhere, you can use a hot fix tool, iron or heat press. Swarovski, a manufacturer of rhinestones, recommends a temperature range of 250 degrees F – 340 degrees F to activate the glue. If you choose to use an iron, you will need one without steam vents. Irons with vents don’t provide a flat surface and consequently inadequate pressure when applying rhinestones. Also, water and steam can negatively affect the hot fix application. Never slide the iron as this may move the rhinestones. Always press down the iron and lift straight up before applying heat elsewhere. Another way to attach hot fix rhinestones is with a hot fix tool. These tools come with different screw-on tips to accommodate different size rhinestones. To attach, you lay the rhinestones on a flat surface, facet side up. Heat up your tool, then place the tip over the top of the rhinestone. The rhinestone will stick in the cup of the tip. After about 15 seconds, the glue will begin to bubble. Tap the rhinestone onto the fabric and the rhinestone will stick. Don’t press too hard as this can cause the glue to spread and the rhinestone to stick in the cup. Allow the rhinestones to cool, which takes only a few minutes. Unfortunately, there are some fabrics that are just not suitable for hot fix application. These include very tightly woven textiles, smooth leather or smooth imitation leather, and thin fabrics like organza. To check to see if your fabric is suitable for hot fix rhinestones, apply several drops of water. If the fabric absorbs the water droplet quickly, you can use hot fix rhinestones on it. Alternately, if the water pearls, the fabric is not suitable for hot fix rhinestones.  Flat Back Rhinestones Another type of rhinestone is the non-hot fix or commonly referred to flat back. One way to attach flat backs or non-hot fix rhinestones is by gluing. There are a variety of rhinestone glues on the market. Some provide a better bond on certain surfaces than others. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for recommendations. Additionally, some glue manufacturers do not recommend using their product on cheaper rhinestones like acrylics. For example, E6000 is an industrial strength glue that produces a strong bond to smooth surfaces. It works great on metal and glass. Alternately, Gem-Tac is a great fabric glue that’s easy to apply, dries clear and is washable. There are some other adhesives like Swarovski’s 2-part epoxy, Beacon’s Fabri-Tac and such. Just make sure whichever you use, its suitable for rhinestones, dries clear and if gluing to clothes, washable. One of the key components in gluing rhinestones to clothing is the method. Many people use too little glue causing the rhinestone to peel off. It’s very important that some of the glue seeps out the sides of the rhinestone. This forms a seal to keep the rhinestone in place.  Other Methods of Attaching Rhinestones Generally, there are some other ways of attaching rhinestones to fabrics: metal settings and sew-on rhinestones. To begin with, there are 2 types of metal settings, Tiffany and rim. Their basic difference is one secures form the inside of the garment and the other from the outside. In particular, a rim setting surrounds the rhinestone on the right side of the fabric. The prongs pierce and bend on the inside of the garment to secure the rhinestone. Whereas Tiffany settings have metal prongs pierce through to the outside of the fabric to grab the rhinestone. These prongs bend around the rhinestone to hold it into place. Uniquely, sew-on rhinestones have pre-drilled holes in the crystal allowing a needle to pass through. Sew-0n rhinestones are available in a large variety of shapes. Similarly, a Rose Montee is a rhinestone set in a metal setting that has cross channels on the bottom. A needle easily passes through the cross channels thus, making them easy to sew on. Moreover, thin wire can pass through these channels as well, making Rose Montees ideal for jewelry making.  Sizing of Rhinestones Admittedly, the sizing of rhinestones is unique and different. The system goes back to when rhinestones were a natural resource of sparkling quartz. Finders of these sparkling quartz stones grouped them according to their size by dropping them into different size holes. This gave the sparkling quartz a number “stone size“ or “ss”. Larger size sparkling quartz had larger numbers and smaller sized quartz smaller. Even though this natural resource no longer exists, rhinestone manufacturers still use this system of measurement. Usually, retailers of rhinestones will give the equivalent millimeter size adjacent to the “ss” size so you can compare. Sometimes, too, retailers will have a sizing chart with a picture of the size of that particular rhinestone. You can view our millimeter/ss size chart here. When trying to figure out how many rhinestones you need for a project will depend on the size you choose. This is especially true when you’re covering an item with rhinestones. For example, size 20ss is 4.7mm and you need about 29 rhinestones to cover 1 square inch. Compare this to size 12ss which is 3.1mm requiring 67 rhinestones to cover 1 square inch. Of course, the type of project you’re working on may influence your choice of size as well. For instance, you probably want smaller stones for rhinestones your nails yet larger rhinestones for embellishing your wedding dress. Still confused about the right choice of rhinestone for your project? Rhinestones Etc. would love to help! We’ve been selling rhinestones for over 10 years. Drop us a line here, and we’ll get back to you quickly with an answer.
Moreover, we have a huge selection of Preciosa Maxima Rhinestones. Browse our online store to find your color. Are you new to creating blinged out projects? If so, you may have noticed that rhinestones have a unique unit of measurement. You may have seen sizes listed as 6ss, 12ss, 20ss, or 30ss. While you are familiar with inches and millimeters, “ss” is an unfamiliar unit of measurement. Since you don’t understand this term, you have no idea whether the rhinestone is large or small. Is there a way to translate rhinestone sizes into something recognizable? 
The History of Rhinestone Sizes To understand the term “ss”, we must go back in history to when rhinestones were a natural resource. Originally, gem hunters collected a unique type of quartz found only along the banks of the Rhine River. During formation, lead mixed with silicon and oxygen to give this type of quartz glittering properties. Finders of these sparkling stones grouped them by dropping them into different size holes. These gem hunters assigned a number to each hole with smaller stones having smaller numbers. So, whichever hole number the quartz fit into became the stone size. Later, stone size became abbreviated to “ss” As years passed, this natural resource became depleted and manufacturers developed processes to replicate this glittering quartz. Today, rhinestone manufacturers continue to use stone size as the unit of measurement to describe rhinestone sizes 
Choosing the Perfect Rhinestone Size Typically, most rhinestone retailers offer a rhinestone size chart with the accompanying millimeter length. This enables you to check the stone size against a ruler. Generally, the larger the number, the bigger the rhinestone. So, a 6ss embellishment will be much smaller than a 34ss one. Sometimes, your bling project can help guide you in choosing a size. For example, you’ll probably choose a smaller rhinestone when gluing rhinestones on fingernails. Some manufacturers offer tiny rhinestone sizes like 5ss, perfect for adding a bit of sparkle. On the other hand, you may want to use a large size for a dance costume. Generally, popular sizes include 16ss, 20ss, and 30ss. Yet, choosing a rhinestone is a personal preference and there are no wrong choices. Furthermore, you don’t have to stick with only one size. Scatter patterns are a trendy and stylish way to use rhinestones on clothing, especially for skating and dance costumes. Additionally, if your design has curves or lettering, you may find using several sizes work better. Rhinestone Size and Sparkle Will a bigger rhinestone sparkle more than a smaller one? Generally, the material, the number of facets, and their arrangement affect sparkle the most. Typically, rhinestones made from crystal sparkle more than both acrylic and glass rhinestones. Additionally, manufacturers cut facets at different angles. This determines how light penetrates and exits the rhinestone to create scintillation and sparkle. Of course, larger rhinestones will also have larger facets to reflect light to the viewer. Usually, higher quality rhinestone manufacturers use crystal. Generally, crystal is a form of glass with an additional ingredient. In the past, manufacturers used lead oxide. With health concerns, today many rhinestone companies use barium, zinc, or potassium oxide instead. Crystal is stronger and denser than glass allowing greater precision in facet cutting. Buying High Quality Crystal Rhinestones Today, crafters bling out many types of objects including clothing, shoes, sunglasses, purses, and tumblers. By adding rhinestones, you create visual interest with texture, sparkle, and color. Once you understand the unit of measurement, it’s easier to choose the perfect size for your project. When shopping for high quality crystal rhinestones, trust Rhinestones Etc. Since 2011. We offer competitive pricing, fast processing times, and great customer service. Browse our online store to find the right color and size rhinestones for your bling project. 
Participating in a dance competition provides many great opportunities and learning experiences. Yet, lessons and entry fees can add up leaving little left over for a sparkling new dress. Instead, buy an inexpensive plain dance dress and add rhinestones. You can find a huge inventory of crystal rhinestones for dance costumes at Rhinestones Etc.
The Best Type of Rhinestones For Dance Costumes Once you've decided on a dance dress, it’s time to choose your rhinestones. The most common shape is round with a variety of options on brands, types, colors, and sizes. Primarily, you’ll find rhinestone manufacturers of plastic, glass, and crystal rhinestones. Typically, crystal rhinestones offer the greatest amount of sparkle followed by glass, resin, and acrylic. In addition, the number of facets and their arrangement will affect the play of light. Generally, manufacturers create rhinestones with a range of 10 to 15 facets. Moreover, you’ll need to choose between hotfix or glue on rhinestones. Hotfix rhinestones have glue on the backside of the rhinestone. To adhere rhinestones, you need to activate the glue using a hotfix applicator, iron, or heat press. Alternatively, glue on rhinestones require an adhesive to attach them. Next, you’ll need to choose your color. Often, many people select either crystal or crystal AB because it can be difficult to pick just the right hue. Crystal is a clear rhinestone while the AB is clear with a rainbow coating. The rainbow coating can pick up the color of the underlying fabric making it a favorite among dancers. Yet, choosing your color is a personal preference with no wrong answers. Some people like a pop of color with a contrasting hue. While others like the color to blend in with the color of the fabric. Finally, you’ll have to select a size. Rhinestone manufacturers use a unique measurement known as stone size ranging from very tiny 5ss to large 48ss. Usually, 16ss, 20ss, and 30ss are popular sizes of rhinestones for dance costumes. You can choose a single size or mix sizes for added dimension. Creating Your Rhinestone Design If this is your first time creating a bling project, it can be intimidating. However, many times the dance dress will have seams, cutouts, or straps that could use more visibility. Additionally, you can use any lines or shapes in the costume to dictate your design. Another idea is to scatter or distribute rhinestones in a random pattern. Scatter designs work well when you have a large space to fill. You can get even more creative by using different shades of color for an ombre effect. For specific curves or shapes, you can make a template. Often, it’s helpful to lay the dress flat arranging rhinestones to help create your design. When you’re ready to adhere the rhinestones to the dance costume, begin with your key element. Lay out your pattern aligning your center and working outwards. Often a ruler or tape measure can help keep your rhinestones evenly spaced. Where to Buy Rhinestones for Dance Costumes Rhinestones Etc. has been selling high-quality rhinestones since 2011. With super fast processing times and excellent customer service, we want to be your source for crystal rhinestone embellishments. Plus, we give extra discounts for bulk rhinestone orders. Browse our online store to find your perfect size and color. 
Consumers like buying in large quantities because it saves money. Manufacturers like to sell in bulk because they sell larger quantities at one time and use less packaging. Furthermore, many crystalline product manufacturers sell in large quantities. Yet, do all companies sell the same amount of crystal embellishments in bulk rhinestone packages? The Number of Pieces in Bulk Rhinestone Packaging Usually, crystal bulk packaging depends on the rhinestone's size, shape, and manufacturer. Hence, bulk rhinestone packaging can mean very different amounts. For example, the original rhinestone manufacturers emerged from the European glassmaking industry. Thus, many use the common European standard unit of measurement, the gross. Usually, European manufacturers will sell round rhinestones by the gross or in these crystal bulk package amounts:
In the past few years, Asian (Korean and Chinese) and Indian companies have begun manufacturing rhinestones as well. Often, these are lower quality than their European counterparts and designated as DMC (diamante machine cut) or MC (machine cut). These manufacturers sell rhinestones by weight or in 100 gross or larger bags. Typically, manufacturers offer rhinestone shapes in smaller sized packaging, usually by the dozen. When ordering, the retailer will specify the packaging profile and price. Rhinestone Sizes and Your Bling Project Will Decide Quantities When trying to determine your quantity, you need to consider the rhinestone size. Typically, manufacturers designate rhinestone sizes by the stone size (ss). This unit of measurement goes back to the days when “rhine stones” were a natural resource. When buying rhinestones, you’ll see a number accompanying the ss designation. The larger the number, the bigger the rhinestone. Usually, most retailers will also give a millimeter measurement for comparison. Most rulers will have inches on one side and millimeters on the other for comparison. Sometimes, different rhinestone manufacturers may vary slightly in size. For your convenience, here is an ss-to-mm conversion rhinestone size chart: ss mm ss mm ss mm 5 1.7-1.8 10 2.7-2.85 34 7.0 -7.17 6 1.9-2 12 3.0-3.1 40 8.35-8.54 7 2.1-2.15 16 3.8-3.9 48 10.95-11.11 8 2.3-2.35 20 4.6-4.7 50 12 9 2.5-2.65 30 6.3-6.41 Calculating the Amount of Rhinestones for Your Bling Project Some bling projects, like covering a tumbler with crystals, require a lot of rhinestones. However, your choice of rhinestone size will also affect how many crystals you’ll need. Since larger crystals cover a bigger area than smaller ones, you’ll need fewer embellishments. Below are the steps to figuring the amount you’ll need:
For example, let’s say you want to cover an area 5 inches by 6 inches with size 16ss rhinestones. Taking the length of 5 inches, multiply by 25.4 to get 127. Then, divide this by 3.9, the millimeter size of a 16ss rhinestone to get 32.56. Repeat this process for the width of 6 inches to get 39.06. Now, multiply 32.56 by 39.06 and you’ll need about 1271.79 rhinestones to cover a 5 by 6 inches area. If you divide this number by 144 (the number of pieces in a gross) you’ll get the number of gross. In this case, you’ll need 8.83 or almost 9 gross. Of course, you’ll end up with decimals when converting inches to millimeters leaving some gaps in your coverage. To compensate, you can leave some space between the rhinestones or fill in the gaps with smaller crystals. Moreover, if you have any questions, you can contact us here. Where To Buy Bulk Rhinestones Online Buying in bulk usually means you don’t have to worry about running out of crystals during a project. Ordering once also saves you on shipping costs later on if you need more crystals. When looking for a great purchase experience for wholesale rhinestones online, choose Rhinestones Etc. Since 2011, we have been selling quality embellishments at competitive prices with a great customer service experience. We have a large inventory of Preciosa and PriceLess crystals available for same-day shipping. Browse our online rhinestone store to find your color and size. Don’t you just love rhinestone boots? Yet, sparkly boots can put a serious dent in your budget costing you hundreds of dollars. However, you can rhinestone the boots yourself and save yourself a bundle of money. But how many will you need to cover the area of boot you are embellishing? Ugh! You were never good at math and have no idea where to begin.  The Math needed to determine how many rhinestones needed for Rhinestone Boots Once you’ve got your boots, you need to pick out your rhinestone size. Most likely a larger size rhinestone will work best, perhaps 20ss. If you are not sure, you can read all about rhinestone sizes here.  Hark back to your Geometry lessons, as they’re going to come in handy. First, you need to figure the area of the boot that will be covered in rhinestones. In order to figure out the area of a square or rectangle, you multiply the length by the height. So, let’s say you want to glue rhinestones to a rectangular area that measures 3 x 4. The area of this would be 12 square inches. Now, rhinestones are different sizes, so depending on what size you choose will affect how many you need. Of course, the larger the rhinestone, the less you need to cover 1 square inch. Likewise, the smaller the rhinestone, the more you need to cover 1 square inch. For your convenience, here are the most common rhinestone sizes and the amount needed to cover 1 square inch: 12ss – 67.14 rhinestones 16ss – 42.41 rhinestones 20ss – 29.20 rhinestones 30ss - 15.68 rhinestones Obviously, you can’t glue on .14 of a rhinestone. To compensate, you can leave some space between the stones when gluing. Or you can shrink the area to be embellished to cover a slightly smaller area. Remember, those numbers above will cover 1 square inch, but you have 12 square inches you want to cover. Simply multiply the number of square inches you want to cover by the number of rhinestones in one square inch. In other words, using our example of 20ss rhinestones: 29.20 (the number of rhinestones per square inch) x 12 (the area to be covered) = 350.40 rhinestones. And to continue with our example of boots, this would cover only 1 boot. Multiply the number by 2 to find the number of rhinestones needed to cover both boots. Finding Areas of Odd Shapes Simple right? Of course, the problem gets slightly more difficult when dealing with odd shapes. When confronted with these shapes, try to break the larger shape into smaller, simpler shapes. Then find the area of these smaller shapes.  Take, for example, this trapezoid shape above. How do you find the area of it? We can break it down into a square and 2 triangles. Now we can find the area of the square, then the two triangles and add the totals together. (On the occasion that you forgot your geometry lessons, the area of a triangle is ½ the base times the height). Still confused about how many rhinestones to buy to rhinestone boots? Rhinestones Etc. can help. With a friendly staff, contact Rhinestones Etc with your questions. Do you need rhinestones for your project? Rhinestones Etc. has competitive pricing and excellent customer service. |
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